"Have you thought about applying to our Central Tracen Academy after you finish junior high school?"
Maruzensky, who was getting along well with Bless the Moment, extended the invitation to the white-haired Uma Musume: "Central Tracen Academy has abundant resources and a pretty nice campus environment."
"I… I think I'll pass."
The white-haired Uma Musume gave a wry smile and pointed a finger toward her own thigh: "It's not like you don't know, Miss Maruzensky, my body just can't handle running, so…"
"Although Central Tracen Academy only accepts students with exceptional talent, you could always choose to become a support staff Uma Musume."
Maruzensky persuaded her: "Won't you think about it?"
"Well…"
A hesitant expression appeared on Bless the Moment's face.
…Wouldn't I still be a student of your Central Tracen Academy either way?
Bless the Moment grumbled inwardly.
And are you seriously trying to pull the wool over a kid's eyes?
Admittedly, the admission standards for Central Tracen Academy were sky-high at first, but later they gradually lowered the bar bit by bit.
From what she'd learned about the admission requirements in recent years, Central Tracen's standards had already dropped quite a lot; even students with above-average talent had a shot at getting in.
"This… let me think about it a bit more…"
"Bless, I'm here!"
While Bless the Moment was still figuring out how to dodge the question, Kitasan Black, her training temporarily over, hopped up into the stands. She glanced around for a moment before spotting Maruzensky and Bless the Moment chatting.
"Auntie Maruzensky? What are you doing here?"
"It's 'Nee-san'!"
Maruzensky corrected her: "You two know each other?"
"Yeah."
Kitasan Black nodded: "We're childhood friends."
"Childhood friends… I remember you said you wanted to test into Central Tracen Academy next year, right, Kita-chan?"
"Mhmm… that's right."
Kitasan Black, who had sat down next to Bless the Moment, looked puzzled: "Why do you ask, Auntie Maruzensky?"
"How about considering hiring yourself a support Uma Musume?"
"A support Uma Musume… Auntie Maruzensky, you mean?!"
Instantly grasping the implication of Maruzensky's words, Kitasan Black grew excited.
Completely missing the meaningful look Bless the Moment was trying to give her, Kitasan Black grabbed Maruzensky's hand: "I want to attend the same school as Bless!"
"Shouldn't you be saying that to her, not me?"
Maruzensky didn't take the bait, instead looking toward Bless the Moment, signaling for her to respond.
…Maruzensky, you're playing dirty right now.
Meeting Kitasan Black's hopeful gaze, Bless the Moment, unable to bear refusing her, sighed softly and gave a slight nod.
"Yay!"
Seeing Bless the Moment nod, Kitasan Black excitedly hugged her: "We get to go to the same school again!"
Honestly.
Feeling the warmth radiating from Kitasan Black, Bless the Moment reached out and patted her back.
Oh well, never mind. It's just three more years at Central Tracen Academy, that's all.
Being at the same school would actually make it more convenient for her to check on how her former charges were doing these days.
Thinking about it carefully, it seemed pretty nice actually.
…Yay! I can still go to and from school with Bless the Moment next year too!
Kitasan Black, held by Bless the Moment, cheered inwardly.
They'd hardly ever been apart since they were little.
If she and Dia went off to study at Central Tracen and Bless the Moment didn't come, she'd actually feel a bit out of sorts.
The three of us can go to and from school together again next year. How wonderful.
"Oh, by the way, little one, could you give me your contact info?"
Maruzensky, who had been watching them, waited until they separated before speaking up: "I'm very interested in you, and I'd like to chat with you online. Is that okay?"
"Sure."
Bless the Moment readily took out her phone and shared the account she was currently using with Maruzensky.
"Friend request sent. Remember to accept me, okay~"
Maruzensky waved her phone, its screen still on the [Add Friend] interface, then glanced toward the track and happened to catch Symboli Rudolf's gaze.
"Oh dear… looks like I can't stay here chatting with you two any longer."
Seeing Symboli Rudolf beckoning her, Maruzensky rose regretfully: "I'll take my leave now. You two carry on."
"Little one, I'm looking forward to seeing you at Central Tracen Academy next year~"
The brown-haired Uma Musume tossed a wink at the white-haired young Uma Musume looking up at her before gradually walking away, finally disappearing from the sight of both Kitasan Black and Bless the Moment.
"So it was Auntie Maruzensky who came with President Rudolf…"
A short while later, watching Maruzensky's figure appear on the track, Kitasan Black turned to her friend beside her, curious: "How did you run into her, Bless?"
"It wasn't so much running into her… more like Maruzensky-senpai saw me sitting here alone, took the initiative to sit next to me, and started a conversation."
"Is that so?"
Kitasan Black was surprised: "I thought it was you who started talking to Maruzensky-senpai first."
You guessed right, it was actually me who spoke first.
Bless the Moment thought.
"How was your training today, Kita-chan?"
"It was great!"
Kitasan Black lifted her right arm, flexing in a show of muscle: "I'm in top form today!"
"Is that so? Sounds like you'll get some good results from today's training."
Bless the Moment shifted her gaze from her friend toward the direction she'd come from: "What about Dia? Didn't she come with you?"
"She won't be on for a little while yet."
Still have to wait a bit longer, huh?
Bless the Moment, remembering something, pulled out her phone.
The latest message was sent twenty minutes ago…
She incidentally glanced at the current time and muttered a silent 'sorry' in her heart.
Sorry, son.
I'll read every single one of these messages carefully after I get home from school.
"So many messages… It's not spam, is it?"
Kitasan Black, who had happened to catch a glimpse of the messages displayed on the phone screen, sounded a bit worried.
"It's just a friend I know online!"
Bless the Moment retorted.
--+--
"You seem to be in a good mood, Maruzensky?"
Symboli Rudolf, looking at the brown-haired Uma Musume standing beside her, asked: "Did something good happen?"
"Mhmm."
Maruzensky nodded with a smile: "I met a very interesting young Uma Musume up in the stands and had a little chat with her."
"Interesting?"
Symboli Rudolf, not quite understanding what Maruzensky meant, looked puzzled.
"Yes. It felt a bit like seeing my former self, back when I couldn't race."
Maruzensky nodded, adding with considerable emotion.
Couldn't race, huh…
Looking at Maruzensky standing beside her, Symboli Rudolf stole a glance toward the stands, her interest now somewhat piqued regarding this 'interesting young Uma Musume' Maruzensky mentioned.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.